PETIONVILLE, Haiti — Being in Haiti for the first time in his life, Army Pfc. Cameron Taylor of New York never imagined the country would be hurting as much as it is.

Pfc. Cameron Taylor, with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, stands guard at a food distribution station in Petionville. (CNS/Bob Roller)

Assigned to a security detail with members of the 82nd Airborne Division at the World Food Program food distribution for earthquake victims in Petionville yesterday, the 27-year-old soldier shared a few impressions about what he’s seen so far.

“I have family here that I haven’t had the chance to meet because of the situation,” he said.

He has also found devastation to be beyond belief.

While he has not been able to reach relatives in Haiti yet, he has heard from family in his native Harlem neighborhood in New York City that several likely perished in the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Taylor expects that he will be able to reach his Haitian relatives at some point because he said he has been told his assignment will last for three to six months. That’s plenty of time to be of service not only to the U.S. but to injured and homeless Haitians as well.

Just read this story and my heart got really warm. I went to elementary school with a Cameron Taylor from Harlem, NY with a Haitian background. I am not sure if the writer of this story is able to get in contact with Cameron, but please send him my blessings, and let him know I am praying for him.